We are excited to share the last three papers published by BikiarisLab! The topic of all three is biobased polymers with different potential applications, showing the versatility of synthetic yet sustainable polymers, depending on their design.
Evaluation of poly(lactic acid)/ and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/ poly(ethylene adipate) copolymers for the preparation of paclitaxel loaded drug nanoparticles
The paper "Evaluation of poly(lactic acid)/ and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/ poly(ethylene adipate) copolymers for the preparation of paclitaxel loaded drug nanoparticles" was published in Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology (IF 5.062). The topic is the use of novel poly(lactic acid)/poly(ethylene adipate) (PLA-PEAd) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/poly(ethylene adipate) (PLGA-PEAd) copolymers for the preparation of paclitaxel (PTX) loaded nanoparticles (NPs). These nanoparticles were found to be suitable for the controlled release of the anticancer drug, and had anticancer properties towards HeCa cells. In sum, the present study reveals that the use of PLA or PLGA-PEAd copolymers may be a good new alternative for the preparation of PTX-loaded NPs having good biodegradation, cytotoxicity and dissolution (i.e., bioavailability) characteristics.
This work was co-funded by European Union-European Regional Development Fund and Greek Ministry of Education, Research and Religions/EYDE-ETAK through program EPANEK 2014-2020/Action “EREVNO-DIMIOURGO-KAINOTOMO” (project Τ2ΕΔΚ-00501 - NANOMYTHIC).
To read the full article, click here.
Revisiting Non-Conventional Crystallinity-Induced Effects on Molecular Mobility in Sustainable Diblock Copolymers of Poly(propylene adipate) and Polylactide
The second paper, "Revisiting Non-Conventional Crystallinity-Induced Effects on Molecular Mobility in Sustainable Diblock Copolymers of Poly(propylene adipate) and Polylactide". published in Molecules (IF 4.927), is the continuation of our study in PLA-PPAd copolymers, in collaboration with AIMPLAS. First, their synthesis and characterization was reported (read more here), followed by exploration of their molecular mobility (read more here), and now we assess non-trivial effects on the mobility arising from the implementation of crystallization. An interesting effect was revealed. Tg is significantly suppressed in the presence of crystals, by 8 to 50 K. The overall effects suggest the involvement of spatial nanoconfinement of the amorphous polymer between the spherulites or, in a more complex situation, involving additional PLA/PPAd separation driven by the crystal’s formation. Overall, crystallization seems to make PPAd the dominant polymer over PLA in terms of the mobility of the copolymers.
To read the full article, click here.
Blending PLA with Polyesters Based on 2,5-Furan Dicarboxylic Acid: Evaluation of Physicochemical and Nanomechanical Properties
The paper "Blending PLA with Polyesters Based on 2,5-Furan Dicarboxylic Acid: Evaluation of Physicochemical and Nanomechanical Properties", published in Polymers (IF 4.967), reports the the effects of different 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA)-based polyesters on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of PLA. PLA/PBF and PLA/PBF-co-PBAd blends with 70 wt% PLA prepared with melt blending displayed a variability of properties, and their miscibility could be improved with reactive blending. Such blends could find applications as the biobased alternatives of partially biobased blends of PLA with petroleum-based poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) available in the market, that is suitable for the fabrication of bags and mulch films.
This research is co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund—ESF) through the Operational Programme “Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning” in the context of the project “Reinforcement of Postdoctoral Researchers—2nd Cycle” (MIS-5033021) implemented by the State Scholarships Foundation (ΙΚΥ).
To read the full article, click here.